Please find broadcast quality video statement from S&D Group spokeswoman on women's rights and gender equality Marie Arena MEP and S&D Group negotiator on the resolution Christine Revault d'Allonnes-Bonnefoy MEP.

http://www.sdbroadcast.eu/latest-news...

33% of all women in Europe have suffered from violence - the EU must act now says S&D

S&D Euro MPs today secured a strong majority for a resolution calling on the EU to ratify the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combatting violence against women, otherwise known as ‘The Istanbul Convention’.

The resolution also calls on the EU to step up its actions on combatting violence against women through the adoption of an EU law. The aim would be to strengthen the European response in addition to classifying violence against women as a particularly serious crime within the EU treaties.

S&D Group negotiator on the resolution Christine Revault d'Allonnes-Bonnefoy MEP added:

“It is an outrage that only half of EU member states have ratified the Istanbul Convention. Violence against women and girls is a terrible scourge that is ravaging Europe and the entire world. The EU must act urgently!

“Ratifying the Istanbul Convention is crucial, but not enough. That is why we fought so hard to also get the resolution to include a call for a European Directive combatting and preventing violence against women and girls. In a situation where only a third of female victims of violence choose to go to the police, and where most of the perpetrators of violence against women do not get prosecuted, we want there to be no doubt that the EU and European nations stand up for women’s rights.”

MEPs involved
President
Spain